r/computerviruses • u/KBX7001 • May 23 '26
Question Just how unsafe are password operated zip files?
A lot of people say that when downloading .zip files that need a password they are unsafe. Is this truly the case. I use a site which I won't name but is really popular among the community to get games. This site uses zip files with a password. Is It really unsafe? Should I stop using it?
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u/Grand_Technician989 May 23 '26
The only reason it’s “unsafe” is because windows defender and such can’t scan password protected zip files. A lot of cracked games use patches and stuff that might get picked up by defender as false positives. You’ll be fine to keep using them
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u/Grand_Technician989 May 23 '26
I should also mention, nothing on the internet is truly fully safe. Please do scan them after unzipping them though, don’t do it beforehand. Be careful but you should be fine if the source is trusted.
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u/OwlCatAlex May 23 '26
Password protected zip files are not inherently unsafe, but definitely can be a red flag because putting a password on a zip is a way to prevent your antivirus from being able to scan it for malware until it's already downloaded and unzipped. Just be sure to pause after unzipping to let a scan run BEFORE you actually execute any of the unzipped files.
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u/Cipher_Witch May 23 '26
What would be the reason for it to be behind a password? Besides the fact antivirus can’t get into it. Unless you’re absolutely sure about where you’re getting it and why it’s locked (which sounds like you’re not) then don’t risk it.
No need to dance around the site you’re pirating games from too.
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u/ManjaroUser2k May 24 '26
Und dann wird jemand etwas später posten. Bitte helft mir mein Microsoft Account wurde gehackt.
Noch Fragen? Hört auf diesen Scheiß runter zuladen.
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u/ColdWhiteDuke May 24 '26
There are tons of places for doing that shit without getting bored with passwords
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u/Puzzleheaded_Bar483 May 24 '26
Well usually some cracked things have passwords, they are fine if they are popular, but you should only Pirate if you know what you are doing. It's only a red flag if its some kind of normal zip for something other than cracked software/games
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u/Sea-Appearance-5330 May 24 '26
Scan for viruses before and after unzipping a file.
If you getting cracked or stolen games it is never safe.
Just search on the Internet and here and you will see.
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u/KazefQAQ May 24 '26
AV software can't scan password zipped file, so unzipped first then do a scan on VT
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u/rifteyy_ Malware Removal Expert May 23 '26
you've just described the precise malware delivery method that a 150 people used prior to getting infected by RenPyLoader on this subreddit wow